Osun: Adeleke halts government officials’ overseas travel

Governor of Osun State Ademola Adeleke has immediately put a stop on state officials’ travel abroad for the remainder of the year.

Adeleke further directed that going forward, state spending should be concentrated on carrying out important initiatives in all areas.

This was revealed in a statement in Osogbo on Monday and signed by Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson.

While declaring the ban on overseas travel, the governor made a suggestion that it might be allowed in the event of an immediate necessity.

According to the statement, the decision was reached at the end of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday.

“Foreign trips for top officials for the rest of the year is hereby suspended unless there is a direct emergency to be authorized by the Governor.

“The Governor directed the immediate suspension of foreign travels by top officials. He urged application of virtual meetings for attendance and participation at international business and investment events.

“We must sustain the momentum of our service delivery by avoiding excessive spending on recurrent and overheads,” the statement said.

Adeleke read aloud important policy guidelines pertaining to state government as she urged caution in the budget planning process.

In addition, he demanded that cabinet members and other administration personnel show that they are willing to make personal sacrifices in light of the dire financial circumstances facing the state.

“Our needs from office to accommodation are much but our resources are limited. So we have to devise a coping mechanism pending the time our funding situation will improve,” he stated.

As a way of enforcing efficiency in the governance process, the governor also directed the Head of Service to prepare a memo to streamline the relationship between the Commissioners and Special Advisers.

“While memos by Special Advisers must pass through the Permanent Secretary to the Commissioners, the Commissioners must ensure fair play and accommodating spirit,” the Governor declared in a move to pre-empt possible rivalry among top appointees